By ALBERT AKPOR
Save for the Biafra/Nigeria civil war of 1967-1970 during which all kinds of unimaginable weapons including bombs and explosives were used,  bombs-whether suicide or improvised were alien to Nigeria.  This accounted largely  for the reason why Nigerians expressed shock and dismay over the  resort to the wanton use of bombs and explosives by some aggrieved militants in the northern states of the federation to destroy lives and property.

However, the anti-bomb unit of the police which was originally formed after the civil war in the country to  identify and perhaps, detonate unexploded objects of the war, has continued to brace up to the present security challenges  in the country especially, in the northern states of the federation.

The unit has, therefore,  embarked on aggressive training and re-training  of personnel to meet with the evolving trends.  Already, over 100  police officers drawn from various commands across the country are undergoing training at the police college, Ikeja,  Lagos while many more are expected to be trained after the graduation of these officers.

Th Commissioner of Police, anti-bomb unit otherwise known as the Explosive Ordinance Disposal, EOD, department, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo said his command was poised at meeting with the evolving security challenges in the country;  urging participants in the course to make good use of the opportunity to serve the unit better at the end of the training.

According to him,  “The EOD’s role is now more pronounced than ever in view of the recent events with unprecedented pressure and increasing demands from the commands, government institutions, private organizations, religious bodies and even embassies; clamouring for our services on daily basis.

Undoubtedly, our present strength is over stretched and unable to cope with the challenges at hand and it has become pertinent to urgently increase the command workforce to meet with the emerging trends.

“The approval to train the first batch of course 15A comprising of one hundred officers and men for the period of four weeks is timely as outlined in the Inspector-General of Police IGP Mohammed Abubakar’s vision and mission to transform and improve the general security situation in the country.”

Continuing, Mr. Adebanjo said, “The frightening and lethal usage of explosives do manifest itself in form of suicide bombings,  arson, vehicle- borne Improvised Explosive Devices IEDs, destruction of private/government establishments and security agencies offices/residence have become targets of attacks.

The mischievous misuse and or misapplication of IEDs in methods that suits  the users unjustifiably and irrationally measure their redress of any perceived injustice or wrong doing to individual or group in our society.  It is to this end that I wish to enjoin you to make good use of the opportunity and privilege provided for you by the IGP for organizing this important training.

You should ensure that the resources invested on the training are not wasted but to help in promoting this command’s proficiency and professionalism,” he stated.